Cafly

ABSTRACT

A vehicle for traveling upon the ground, the vehicle including a pair of front wheels mounted in tandem side by side arrangement and a singular rear wheel, a pair of wings above the body and a fin rudder, the vehicle normally travelling at lower speed with all three wheels engaging the ground, the vehicle after attaining a 40 mile per hour speed then travelling upon only the rear wheel engaging the ground while the front wheels retract upwardly, balance being provided to the vehicle by means of the wings, together with the fin rudder.

United States Patent 1 Ferino [4 1 Apr. 3, 1973 l CAFLY FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: Ferdinand Ferine, 193 Cottoman 885,818 6/1953 Germany ..296/1 5 Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19111 Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh [22] Ffled 1971 Assistant Examiner-John P. SilverStrim [21] Appl. No.: 121,466 Attorney-Woodcock, Washburn, Kurtz &

Mackkiewicz [52] US. Cl ..180/1 FV, 180/25, 280/7.l,

280/4323, 280/78, 296/1 s 7 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl.. ..B62d 35/00, 862d 37/02 A vehicle for traveling upon the ground, the vehicle [58] Field of Search ..180/26, 25, l FV; 296/1 S; including a pair of front wheels mounted in tandem 280/7.l side by side arrangement and a singular rear wheel, a pair of wings above the body and a fin rudder, the [56] References Cited vehicle normally travelling at lower speed with all three wheels engaging the ground, the vehicle after at- UNITED STATES PATENTS taining 21 40 mile per hour speed then travelling upon 0137,3-12 2/1944- Wood .;...296/1SX y the rear Wheel engaging the ground While the 1,777,781 10/1930 Biagi 280/263 X front wheels retract upwardly, balance being provided 3,610,660 10/1971 Price 280/289 to the vehicle by means of the wings, together, with the 1,986,845 1/1935 Napier.... .....296/l S fin rudder, 3,512,825 6/1968 Green ........296/1 S 2,434,759 1/1948 Donovan ..180/25 R X 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures i-J-i' PATENTEmPRs 1975 3,724,577

SHEET 1 UF 2 l/VVE/VTUR.

Ferdinand Fer/n0 PATENTED PR 1975 3, 724,577 SHEETZUFZ Fig. 5

Ferdinand Fer/no CAFLY This invention relates generally to land-going vehicles.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel land-going vehicle which at low speed travels upon several wheels engaging the ground, but wherein after a relatively large speed is attained, the vehicle travels with only one wheel engaging the ground while the other wheels retract upwardly into the body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cafly wherein the vehicle further includes a pair of wing which aid in balancing the vehicle while traveling upon one wheel engaging the ground.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cafly which additionally includes a fin rudder for assisting in controlling steering by utilizing the movement of the vehicle through the air.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a cafly which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view thereof showing the three wheels on the ground,

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view thereof shown on the ground, I

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view showing the device after attaining a 40 mile speed with only one wheel engaging the ground, and

FIG. 5 is a left side elevation view of the invention shown with an extension for two additional passengers.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the reference numeral 5 represents a cafly according to the present invention wherein there is a body 6 of generally fusilage configuration so to be streamlined for moving relatively friction free while passing through the air.

A rear motor wheel 7 is centrally positioned beneath a rear of the body 6 which is mounted rotatably free within a downwardly pivotable bracket 7A, a rear lower edge of the pivotable bracket 7A being provided with a balance wheel 8 which engages a ground G when the wheel 7 alone engages the ground as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawing.

Below a forward portion of the body 6, there is a pair of front wheels 9 which are in axial alignment with each other, the wheels 9 being of relatively smaller diameter than the rear motor 7;'the rear wheel being powered by a motor contained within the vehicle.

Within the vehicle there is a steering wheel 10 and the body is provided with a front windshield, side windows and a rear window, it being understood that the right side of the vehicle not shown, includes an access door for entry into the vehicle for persons.

Alternately other access means may be provided such as an upwardly pivotable dome or the equivalent, such as is known in vehicle art.

An upwardly extending control mast ll protrudes from the top of the body, the upper end of the control mast supporting a thin rudder l2.

Adjacent each side of the control mast 11 there is a wing 13 that comprises an aileron which is pivotable about a transverse axis extending through the control mast and which is controlled by mechanisms from within the interior of the vehicle by a driver.

A bumper 14 is located all around the sidesof the body so as to prevent shock and damage to the craft in case of being bumped.

In FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is shown a modified design of the invention which is adaptable to include an extension for accommodating two additional passengers within the interior of the vehicle.

In operative use, it is now evident there has been provided a cafly vehicle for traveling upon the ground or highway and which when travelling at relatively lower speeds travels with all three wheels contacting the ground, such as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawmg.

After the vehicle attains a speed of forty miles per hour, the rear wheel bracket 7A is pivotly lowered so as to raise the body together with its front wheels upwardly into the air while the rear wheel 7 maintains contact with the ground G.

The wheel 7 is powered by a motor in the vehicle so as to permit the craft to move.

' In this position, a balance wheel 8 at the rear ofthe wheel 7 assists in maintaining balance of the craft.

Sidewardly balance to the vehicle is provided by means of wing ailerons 13 as well as the fin rudder, both of which thus utilize the air for accomplishing the balance and steering the vehicle.

It is now evident furthermore, that such vehicle by maintaining a minimum contact with the ground is able to develop greater speed than are possible with a con ventional automotive vehicle with many wheels engaging the ground.

Thus there is provided a novel vehicle that should give an additional thrill to automotive enthusiasts by giving a new type of ride.

What I now claim is:

1. A land vehicle comprising:

a body;

a pair of front wheels in axial alignment with each other and rotatably mounted with respect to said body;

a bracket for mounting said rear wheel;

means for pivotably lowering said bracket from within said body causing said body and said front wheels to raise; I i

a power plant mounted with respect to said body;

and

air foil means for utilizing movement of the vehicle to balance said vehicle, said power plant producing sufficient power to enable said vehicle to attain a specified speed at which time said rear wheel bracket may be pivotally lowered causing said body and said front wheels to raise whereby said vehicle will travel solely on its rear wheel while being balanced and controlled by said air foil means.

2. The land vehicle of claim 1 wherein said rear wheel is relatively larger than said pair of front wheels.

3. The land vehicle of claim 1, wherein said airfoil means comprises an upstanding control mast upon the top of said body, said control mast at its upper end being provided with a fin rudder, an intermediate portion of said control mast supporting a wing aileron upon each side thereof which are pivotable about a transverse axis extending through said control mast.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said body of said vehicle is of fusilage configuration by being streamlined, said body includ a front windshield, rear window, opposite side windows and an access opening for entry and exit of passengers, said body ad- 5 ditionally being provided with a bumper all around the same.

v UN'I'IED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 7 24 5 7 7 Dat d P .3 7 3 Inventor(s) Ferdinand lerino It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby correctedflas shown below:

On the first page 033 the patent, change. the address ofthe inventor from 193 Cottoman Av to 1930 Cottman Ave On the first page of thepatent the firm name should read 1 Woodcock; Washburn, Kurtz G Mackiewicz Column 1 line 13, after "wing" insert ailerons Signed and sealed this 27th day of November 1973 Attestz [EDWARD M.I 'LTZ'I.'CIIER,JR RENE I) TEQTMi-IYRR Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 (10-69) US COMM-QC 60376 1 69 r 1.5, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEE g9, O-BGfi-SSA. 

1. A land vehicle comprising: a body; a pair of front wheels in axial alignment with each other and rotatably mounted with respect to said body; a bracket for mounting said rear wheel; means for pivotably lowering said bracket from within said body causing said body and said front wheels to raise; a power plant mounted with respect to said body; and air foil means for utilizing movement of the vehicle to balance said vehicle, said power plant producing sufficient power to enable said vehicle to attain a specified speed at which time said rear wheel bracket may be pivotally lowered causing said body and said front wheels to raise whereby said vehicle will travel solely on its rear wheel while being balanced and controlled by said air foil means.
 2. The land vehicle of claim 1 wherein said rear wheel is relatively larger than said pair of front wheels.
 3. The land vehicle of claim 1, wherein said airfoil means comprises an upstanding control mast upon the top of said body, said control mast at its upper end being provided with a fin rudder, an intermediate portion of said control mast supporting a wing aileron upon each side thereof which are pivotable about a transverse axis extending through said control mast.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said body of said vehicle is of fusilage configuration by being streamlined, said body includ a front windshield, rear window, opposite side windows and an access opening for entry and exit of passengers, said body additionally being provided with a bumper all around the same. 